MEMPHIS, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Jerry Stackhouse scored 13 of his 34 points in the final four minutes Thursday night as the Detroit Pistons rallied for a 90-80 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, who played their first game in their new home.
After six seasons in Vancouver that did not produce much in the way of victories or revenues, owner Michael Heisley received approval from the NBA's Board of Governors to move the team to Memphis, which hosted an ABA franchise in the 1970s. It was the first NBA franchise shift in 16 years.
The Grizzlies were the last of 29 teams to open their season and their was plenty of pomp. Commissioner David Stern got things going by welcoming the sellout crowd of 19,405 to The Pyramid.
Grizzlies starting center and native son Lorenzen Wright asked the crowd for support, saying, "We want you guys to be the best fans in the NBA."
Musician Isaac Hayes performed "America The Beautiful" and 'N Sync member Justin Timberlake -- another local -- sang the national anthem.
The Grizzlies carried the momentum to a 48-36 lead early in the second half, but the Pistons rallied to take a 61-60 advantage into the fourth quarter before turning the game over to Stackhouse.
